GCSE Exam Success

Together with the changes to the grading system and the more demanding and challenging content of all subjects, our girls achieved well with a number of them gaining the coveted top grade 9. Students achieved well across a wide range of the reformed GCSE subjects including English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Religious Studies, Music, Drama, French and Spanish.

We have much to celebrate and our provisional headlines include the following:

English Language 63% achieved grade 4 or above.

English Literature 64% achieved grade 4 or above.

Biology 100% achieved grade 4 and above, with 95% at the higher grade 5 or above.

Physics 100% achieved the higher grade 5 or above.

French 90% achieved grade 4 and above with 80% at the higher grade 5 or above.

Drama 65% achieved grade 4 or above with 40% at the higher grade 5 or above.

Music 60% achieved grade 4 or above with 30% athe the higher grade 5 or above.

The Mathematics specification and subsequent examination papers were significantly more challenging than ever before, yet 49% of our students achieved the highest grades of 4 or above and our overall provisional results will place us just below the England averages. Business Studies was still graded (until next year) as letters and we are pleased that 83% achieved the A*-C grades with 33% at the higher A*-B grades. We also have success in our vocational courses with good outcomes in BTEC Sport, BTEC Business and Health and Social Care.

Mrs Stanislaus commented, "Students have worked extremely hard and we congratulate all students who have recorded grades throughout the new 9-1 scale. We must not lose sight of the fact that students have completed demanding courses with new content and significantly more and longer examination papers. We give credit to all achievement and are mindful that with the Government’s decision to describe a grade 4 as a ‘standard pass’ and a grade 5 as a ‘strong pass’ this does not send a negative message to students who attain grades at 1, 2 and 3."